9 replies

I was 42 when I was told half of my heart did not show up on a stress test. I was hospitalized and had bypass surgery which at that time they cut arteries from inside my chest wall to make the grafts, sort of experimental then. Five years later I was diagnosed with PAD and had arteries in both legs replaced with artificial ones. One of my doctors told me that most people have a bout with depression after those type surgeries, but as far as I know I didn't. Just thankful to be alive and thankful that I had never had a heart attack. Everything was found and corrected before it came to an attack. All this started on Dec 17, 1996. So there now, everyone can figure out my age. LOL

I was 20 at the time of diagnosis. It was found cause of a viral infection they think. So now 8 years since diagnosis one pacemaker, I am still going. Some days are hard but I still work a desk job 40 hours. I am afraid to stop working because I am afraid it might take over. How do deal with your chf?

Thanks for finding our community and adding your voice. There are a lot of folks here battling CHF. Anything you would like to share about your experiences especially given your age at diagnosis would helpful.

I would also encourage everyone here to ask questions and share concerns. The power of this community is its thousands of members and experiences. The answers, along with a healthy dose of caring and comraderie are just a few clicks an keystrokes away!

I was diagnosed in april 2009 with chf. I was 29 years old at the time. Anyone I had told about my diagnosis looked at me with disbelief and said that I was way too young to have it. Since I have joined heart connect I have met people younger than I that were also diagnosed.